By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 4, 2017 (San Diego) -- Wildfires are not the only hazard we have to concern ourselves with during high winds and Red Flag warnings which go into effect today and last through the week. These winds may be our strongest of the season!

East County News Service

December 3, 2017 (Santee) — Santa comes to Santee Lakes on Sunday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Children can also delight in meeting favorite characters from Star Wars and Disney movies on Storybook Island, sliding down Snow Hill, crafts, face painting, carnival rides and rides on ponies, tractors and a train.

East County News Service

December 3, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Clap and dance with Celia Lawler, back by popular demand.  The fiddling and clogging singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will be performing holiday concerts at Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon on two Saturdays, December 16 and 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Macy’s Court. 

For more information, visit www.shoppingparkwayplaza.com.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

December 2, 2017 (San Diego) - Following a big win at Jenny Craig Pavilion against USD on Thursday night, SDSU men’s basketball finally returned home for a Sunday matinee against the 7-1 Bradley Braves as part of the annual Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge.  In case you were wondering, Bradley is a private university in Peoria, Illinois with 5,400 students.  This is the first time the Aztecs have seen the Braves since 1967.

Aztecs will look to win 11^th game for third straight season

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 3, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State football team has accepted an invitation to play Army West Point in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be played at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, and will be broadcast nationally by ESPN.

Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

December 2, 2017 (Ramona) -- Participating wineries from the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) are featuring a  “Holiday in the Country” when you “Follow the Ramona Wine Trail” in the heart of San Diego Wine Country during the first three weekends of December: 2/3, 9/10, and 16/17.

Wine fans can visit 14 wineries decked out for the holidays. In addition to discounted tastings, individual wineries are presenting their own selected special holiday happenings to accompany tasting, such as tree lighting ceremony, tree trimming, holiday music, crafters’ goods for a little shopping, signed magnum bottles, and the introduction of white wines for a White Christmas theme. Santa is also expected to hover.

More than 25,000 expected to attend

East County News Service

December 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County -- On Saturday, Dec. 9, 25,000 people are expected to attend the 21st annual Toys for Joy event sponsored by the Rock Church at from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event has grown over the years and expanded to four locations, including El Cajon Valley High School, Lincoln High School, Southwest High School, and Vista High School.

East County News Service

December 1, 2017 (Borrego Springs) -- Sinatra and Friends pays tribute to the man and his music featuring countless songs, synonymous with Frank Sinatra, as well as many other memorable favorites people have come to love.

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Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

December 1, 2017 (San Diego) - What better way to kick off December than with high school sports? Football is winding down and we’re moving on to basketball.  Tonight, the lady Eagles of Granite Hills traveled to Patrick Henry to take on the Patriots in their first matchup of the season.  The Patriots are already 1-0 on the season.

Upate December 4, 2017: The victim has been identified as Kenneth Owens, 76.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Lakeside Fire Chief Don Butz, on Facebook

December 1, 2017 (Lakeside) – A fire shortly after 4 a.m. this morning ruptured oxygen tanks, swiftly engulfing a home in the 9700 block of Emerald Hill Lane in Lakeside.  A 76-year-old man died in the fire after suffering second and third degree burns, but three other family members escaped, Patch.com reports. 

Fire crews from Lakeside, Santee, and Heartland Fire and Rescue responded to the fire, pulling out the victim who was declared dead at the scene, 10 News reports.  The blaze took a half hour to bring under control.

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Alpine’s Christmas Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, the North Pole Limited train ride in Campo, Lemon Grove’s holiday bonfire with ice skating and a hayride, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, a Jingle Paws walk for pets, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine, a Supermoon hike up Volcan Mountain in Julian, a Christmas Cabaret in La Mesa, and live reindeer visits at Grossmont Center.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s Sounds Good holiday concert, a Christmas Carol in Julian, singer Tony Orlando in concert at Sycuan, a big band and jazz concert in Santee, and Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan.

So scroll down tuned for all of these events and many more!

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

November 30, 2017 (Sacramento) - The people who run many of California's counties are speaking out against the tax bill that is about to go up for a vote in the U.S. Senate. They say they're worried it will eliminate important deductions and force local governments to cut services or raise taxes or fees to compensate.

East County News Service

November 30, 2017 (Alpine) -- You’re invited to celebrate a  rural Christmas on Friday, Dec. 1, at the 22^nd Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival in Alpine. A parade of glittering lighted entries begins at 6:30 p.m. on Alpine Boulevard, where shops are aglow with holiday lights.

The parade ends at the annual (free!) Snow Festival in the Alpine Creek Town Center complete with sledding on a hill with real snow There will also be children’s activities, entertainment, and a visit by Santa Claus, as well as vendors and food for purchase.

East County News Service

December 1, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Borrego Springs Performing Ars Center will present “Here We Come A-Caroling, Borrego Style” on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 and 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 10 at 3 and 4:30 p.m. 

You’re invited to come sing carols with neighbors and friends while being entertained by Borrego's finest musicians and orators.  A program of songs, heartwarming stories and surprise appearances will lift your spirits and add joy to the Holiday season as you celebrate, Borrego style.

November 29, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

Sexual harassment scandals

• How sexual misconduct claims brought down five major media players (ABC)
• How Congress Keeps Its Sexual Harassment Hush Money Secret (Reason)
• Pelosi refuses to hit Conyers on sexual harassment allegations, calls him an ‘icon’ (CNN)
• Garrison Keillor fired by MPR: 'I put my hand on a woman's bare back,' he says (Star Tribune)
• Report: More than 180 clients claim sex abuse at Massage Envy spas (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Other national news

• Jared Kushner interviewed by special counsel’s office (CBS)
• Trump to 59,000 Haitians: you have 18 months to pack your bags (VOX)
• U.S. Coast Guard operating secret floating prisons in Pacific Ocean (USA Today)
• Trump halts decision to allow elephant trophy import after uproar (Reuters)
• The Good, the Bad, and the Unspeakably Ugly: Surveillance Reform Bill Primer (Reason)
• A billionaire wages war on poverty in Oklahoma (CS Monitor)
• Hurricane Damage to Manufacturers in Puerto Rico Affects Mainland Hospitals, Too (NPR)
• U.S. Says PLO Office Must Close After Palestinians Call to Prosecute Israel (NPR)
• These states spend the most on public welfare programs (Fox Business)

 WORLD

• Egypt mosque attackers wore military uniforms and arrived in SUVs (CNN)
• Iranian president declares end of Islamic State (Reuters)
• Zimbabwe Swears in a New President in the First Transfer of Power Since Independence (NPR)
• Suddenly, newspaper can print anything. It's harder than it sounds (Jewish World Review)
• Russia's Putin signs 'foreign agents' media law (Reuters)
• Valery Gerasimov, Russian general, reveals nuclear treaty violation (Washington.com)
• Terrorist stabs, rams over Israelis in murderous spree across West Bank (JPost)
• North Korea defector regains consciousness, video shows getaway under fire (Reuters)
• Haitian army set to make controversial return after two decades (Reuters)
• Nigeria experiences worst bombing of the year in former Boko Haram territory (CS Monitor)
• Turkey orders detention of 216 people in post-coup probe: Anadolu  (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.